Severe Weather Closes Turfway, Churchill

Severe weather moving across Kentucky the afternoon of March 2 prompted Turfway Park to cancel live racing and simulcasting and for Churchill Downs and Keeneland to halt simulcasting operations.

Turfway Park shut down operations at 3:30 p.m. EST, two hours after Churchill Downs closed. Keeneland announced its early closing at 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is forecasting the development of a few strong, long-track tornadoes over parts of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. The most dangerous tornado risk is expected to be from middle and eastern Tennessee north across Kentucky to the Ohio River during the afternoon, where a few tornadoes will be possible along with damaging winds and large hail.

A tornado watch is also posted for most of Central and Eastern Kentucky until 9 p.m. That forecast prompted Lexington schools to dismiss early and for Mayor Jim Gray to advise businesses to close early.